Distance Education

[Monkey Wrench]

Thinking about going back to school, at least part-time, simply because telecommunications sales has become the new "used-car salesman" of the 21st century business world. It's the necessary evil companies need that they would rather not have to deal with, so you come in with your ethics and integrity questioned and I have become very tired, frustrated and depressed dealing with it. Finding no real joy or satisfaction in one's career leads to an early death, and I'd rather not go down that route.

So, while I'm not 100% sure what I want to go into (although I would like to get involved in something benefiting children's healthcare) I'm kicking around the idea of starting an online degree program. I've been doing research the last couple evenings and the trend is catching on and beng more widely accepted from a corporate standpoint.

Curious if anyone here has or is pursuing either advanced training or a degree via an online institution? What are pluses and minuses? Would you do it again? Advice as to what to look for in a distance learning environment?

Basically, I'm looking to glean anyones personal experiences from their distance learning experience.

Thanks!

 

[sweetdiesel]

I've never participated in a distance learning program, but I had a co-worker who did. She's a single mom who earned her degree through the University of Phoenix. It was supposed to allow her to get promoted to a professional position in my department. But when she finished it, her manager told her that he did not feel that her degree was legitimate since it was an online degree. She has since left the company and now works for a company in a different industry that does recognize her degree and hired her on as a professional with a substantial salary increase.

Point of the story is; an online degree might not get recognized by your particular industry. I'd probably go to the companies where you'd like to practice your healthcare services and find out their stance on distance learning. Regardless I think it’s a great idea for you to go back to school, whether it is in an actual classroom or behind the screen.

Good luck!

 

[Candyman]

OK, this might sound cheezy, but I did get my doctorate via a distance learning program. I know it sounds like I got it from some hack overnight place, but it's far from that. I obtained my Bachelor's from SUNY Potsdam. 4 years of classroom fun! Then I did 2 years at Syracuse University to get my Masters. Again, classroom fun. After that, I started working. In my field (Audiology) a Masters was all that was necessary. But they then instituted a Doctorate of Audiology (AuD) mandate. The issue that was difficult was that there was no way they could realistically expect a huge number of already-employed clinicians to quit their jobs and go off to school again. Nor could the expect them to necessarily sacrifice most of their evenings to drive to a classroom somewhere. So they worked with many big universities (such as Vanderbilt, Baylor, Central Michigan, South Florida, etc) to create programs which could enhance our learning without leaving home. I did 2 years of distance learning through the AT Still University of Osteopathic Medicine. It's the first Osteopathic medical school in the US. And yes, it is a fully accredited university and now those bastards have to call me "Doctor".
Anyway, it's really a pretty comfortable system. One big thing to check into is if there's any required contact. A lot of other programs had their students drive to a common location once a month. In my case, that would have been NYC. But, in my program, they satisfied that requirement with an online classroom once a week. Simple as a chatroom. So check into that. Otherwise I think a lot of these are set up well. University of Phoenix is the one that always comes to mind. But there are tons of others depending upon what you want to do. I think the biggest issue is to try to judge how much upheaval it will cause in your daily routine. You will be reading. You will be doing homework. And you will have some provision for contact with your professor. If your family is accepting, I guarantee they will help you any way they can. And if it's to better your position, it benefits them. I totally stand behind anyone who takes the initiative to better themselves. Good luck, MW.

 

[Revo Rancher]

It's not a bad way to go. In CA we have Phoenix University (not associated with any AZ state school) which is very popular with full time workers as classes are arranged more or less on your schedule. I have taken extension classes from UCLA and Pepperdine, again, a study on your own program.

 

[jetmechG550]

My sister-in-law recently finsished her MBA through Univ of Pheonix. I think the probelm some people have with distance learning is that they are too old school and can't come to terms with change. They see doing classes online like the late night deal with Sally Struthers handing you a degree from the career institute for $24.95. When in fact it is the complete opposite. In some cases I think it's harder than actual classroom since you have to dedicate the time to be there on your computer and you can't just sit there and f**k off. Good luck with Monkeyman, if you want her opinion of it maybe I can put you in touch with her.

 

[NvNitro]

I have to admire anyone who continues to grow in there educational skills and knowledge. That is something that I always wanted to do. But with long hours away from the house, which made it kind of impossible, and no computor acess, and being a truck driver didn't help either, it just wasn't accesable. And now with a memory problem, it is just not there for me anymore. Not trying to be negitive, but after a job injury that limits my memory skills, still to this day. its not going to happen. I applaud you MW and all those who are trying,and those who are going to be applying them selves to more education..Go for it! My hat is off to all of you.